Check this page for live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team launch updates starting approximately 90 minutes before the launch window opens.
Brevard Space Coast Launch Site, SpaceX ULA NASA rocket
Let’s take a quick look at which rockets are launched from the various Brevard Launch Sites.
Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team’s live coverage of tonight’s SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch. Within three hours of his SpaceX Falcon 9 launch.
SpaceX launches a Falcon Heavy rocket from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center on the USSF-52 national security mission at 8:07 p.m. ET, sending the Space Force’s X-37B robotic spacecraft on its seventh secret mission. The goal is to lift it into orbit for the
The Falcon Heavy’s twin-sided boosters generate sonic booms that target landings in SpaceX’s Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Then, at 11:01 p.m., SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink Internet satellites into low Earth orbit. The second launch will take place from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
No localized sonic booms are expected during that mission. Instead, the Falcon 9’s first stage booster is targeted for landing on a drone ship at sea.
A live SpaceX webcast hosted on X (formerly Twitter) will be posted at the top of this page when it becomes available approximately 15 minutes before Falcon Heavy launch.
Update at 7:13pm: SpaceX just announced that “all systems are in good condition and weather is 90% favorable for tonight’s launch of USSF-52’s Falcon Heavy.”
Updated at 6:55pm: Key milestones in tonight’s upcoming Falcon Heavy launch timeline include:
53 minutes: | SpaceX’s launch director confirms that the propellant load is “go.” |
50 minutes: | Loading of the first stage rocket-class kerosene begins. |
45 minutes: | The first stage of liquid oxygen filling begins. |
35 minutes: | Loading of rocket-grade kerosene for the second stage begins. |
18 minutes and a half: | The second stage of liquid oxygen filling begins. |
7 minutes: | Falcon Heavy begins engine cooling. |
59 seconds: | The flight computer was ordered to begin final pre-launch checks. |
45 seconds: | SpaceX’s launch director verifies the “go” for launch. |
20 seconds: | The propellant tanks are pressurized for flight. |
6 seconds: | The engine controller commands the initiation of the engine ignition sequence. |
0 Seconds: | Falcon Heavy Lift Off. |
Updated at 6:33pm: As a reminder, SpaceX attempted back-to-back launches of Falcon Heavy and Falcon 9 on December 10th, but neither was launched.
Rather, the crew canceled the Falcon Heavy’s launch attempt “due to ground-side issues.” Inclement weather continued along the Space Coast for many days leading up to Christmas.
This afternoon, SpaceX officials tweeted two photos of Falcon Heavy standing on pad 39A.
Update at 6:16pm: Spokeswoman Rebecca Bergman said all tickets were sold out early today for the Falcon Heavy launch scheduled for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Tickets for spots in the complex’s Apollo/Saturn V Center sold out this morning. The center is accessible by bus and is located approximately 5 miles from Pad 39B. Online ticket sales for viewing the launch at the main visitor complex ended this afternoon.
“We always expect attendance to increase during this holiday week, and of course the launch happening only increases that interest from a consumer perspective,” Bergman said. Ta.
“Obviously, there’s definitely a lot of interest in seeing the launch. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a lot of people who might be visiting Orlando or other parts of Central Florida. It’s like,” she said.
“I’ve seen people drive several hours, two or three hours, to come here to hopefully see it. I hope to have a nice lunch tonight and make everyone happy,” she said. Ta.
For updates on the latest launch schedules from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, please visit: floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
rick neil He’s a space reporter for FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his story, go to click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1